A fine small ru-type 'chrysanthemum' dish seal mark and period of Yongzheng

superbly potted with thick shallow rounded sides supported by a short foot rising to an everted rim, the exterior carved with upright lobes in the form of chrysanthemum petals, covered overall in a subtle pale blue-green glaze, thinning on the raised surfaces to enhance the decoration and stopping at the brown-washed foot, the countersunk base inscribed with the four-character seal mark in underglaze-blue   

The heavy potting of this small dish may indicate that it was intended to be used as a desk implement, perhaps as a brushwasher.  The shape appears to be quite rare.

Jingdezhen began copying prized Song dynasty 'Guan,' Ru' and 'Ge' glazes from as early as the Ming Dynasty.  These high-fired glazes were particularly popular in the Yongzheng and Qianlong periods on vessels of archaistic form.  The pieces were not strictly adhering to Song styles and often it is not clear whether Guan, Ru  or Ge meant to be evoked.  The brown wash that dresses the white foot of many pieces was intended to simulate the dark brown bodies of many Guan wares.  The brown foot can also be seen on pieces with imitation Ru  and celadon glazes, such as on the present lot.